Abstract: A communications system is disclosed that includes at least one remote expansion unit (RXU) that is operatively coupled to at least one remote unit (RU). The at least one RU is configured to receive a first and a second downlink optical radio frequency (RF) communications signal. The at least one RU comprises at least one optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter configured to convert the first and second downlink optical RF communications signals to respective first and second downlink electrical RF communications signals. The at least one RXU is configured to receive the second downlink electrical RF communications signal from the at least one RU. The RU may comprise selection circuitry configured to identify which of the downlink electrical communications signals are sent to the RXU. The RXU may be configured to provide an uplink electrical RF communications signal received from a client device to the RU.

Abstract: A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the co-culturing of at least two cell types is disclosed. The cell co-culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between some cell culture chambers and the external environment. In addition, some cell culture chambers may have limited access to air creating relatively lower oxygen content cell culture chambers. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus amenable to high throughput applications.

Abstract: Forming holes in a material includes focusing a pulsed laser beam into a laser beam focal line oriented along the beam propagation direction and directed into the material, the laser beam focal line generating an induced absorption within the material, the induced absorption producing a defect line along the laser beam focal line within the material, and translating the material and the laser beam relative to each other, thereby forming a plurality of defect lines in the material, and etching the material in an acid solution to produce holes greater than 1 micron in diameter by enlarging the defect lines in the material. A glass article includes a stack of glass substrates with formed holes of 1-100 micron diameter extending through the stack.

Abstract: Fiber optic assemblies and related fabrication methods include a retaining member having at least one pin section that is configured to extend through an opening defined in at least one side wall of a body structure, to permit the at least one pin section to cooperate with at least one feature of a fiber optic connector received in a cavity of the body structure to thereby retain the fiber optic connector in the cavity. Exemplary body structures include dust caps, adapters, patch panels, fiber optic modules, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cutting a glass sheet along a cutting line into a desired shape. A laser source is configured to apply a laser beam to a beam location on the cutting line of the glass sheet. A source of cooling fluid is configured to apply a cooling fluid to a cooling band on the glass sheet to reduce a temperature of the glass sheet along the cooling path while elevating the temperature of the glass sheet at the beam location with the laser beam. The source of cooling fluid is configured to apply the cooling path as a cooling ring to circumscribe the beam location on the cutting line with the cooling band circumferentially spaced from the beam location while the cooling path and the beam location move simultaneously together in order to propagate a fracture in the glass sheet along the cutting line.

Abstract: In the present specification and claims, three modified cell culture substrates are disclosed for protecting peptide mimetic surfaces used in cell culture technology. The methods are able to retain the functionality of the bioactive species conjugated to the surface. In particular, a vitronectin peptide fragment Ac-Lys-Gly-Gly-Pro-Gln-Val-Thr-Arg-Gly-Asp-Val-Phe-Thr-Met-Pro-NH2 was able to facilitate growth and proliferation of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells after stabilization using 3 different modified cell culture substrates for of protection against gamma irradiation.

Abstract: Electrical-optical interface devices and methods for use in optical communications systems are disclosed. The electrical-optical interface devices are configured to convert electrical signals to optical signals and optical signals to electrical signals, and are configured to connect to external devices. The electrical-optical interface device is configured to monitor the data transmission between external devices over a primary communication pathway. The electrical-optical interface device is designed to reconfigure itself when it receives information about a communication error so that it automatically utilizes secondary optical communication pathways as redundant optical communication pathways to maintain data communication between the external devices.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus and method to automatically inspect ceramic honeycomb bodies during the manufacturing thereof. The apparatus includes a light source to shine light through channels of the ceramic honeycomb body, a lens to receive at least a portion of the light transmitted through channels of the ceramic honeycomb body, a camera to capture images of the transmitted light, a support chuck to support the honeycomb body, and a controller to receive the captured images, to analyze each captured image, to adjust the support chuck and/or the lens based on the analysis, and to align the ceramic honeycomb body channels and the lens optical axis.

Abstract: A Brillouin-based distributed bend fiber sensor and method for using the Brillouin-based distributed bend fiber sensor are described herein. In one example, the Brillouin-based distributed bend fiber sensor is specially configured to measure a temperature distribution (?T), a bend angle ?, and a bend radius R along a deployed fiber (e.g., four-core fiber).

Abstract: Described herein are heterocyclic organic compounds. More specifically, described herein are compounds based on the combination of fused pyrrole structures with diketopyrrolopyrrole structures, methods for making these compounds, and uses thereof. The compounds disclosed have improved electronic, polymerization and stability properties that allow for improved material processibility and inclusion in organic semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A pet food composition comprising a meat based material comprised of meat or meat by-products, and an aqueous phase comprised of an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase is provided. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprising an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said composition and having a freeze/thaw stability greater than about 5 cycles as well as a method of feeding a canine or feline pet. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprised of a hydroxypropyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch having less than about 2.5%, by weight of hydroxylpropyl substituents, in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase.

Abstract: A compound optical assembly is constructed from a plurality of stacking elements for spacing, aligning, and retaining optical elements within the assembly. Stacking faces of the stacking elements are measured and low-order surface errors are extracted, represented by mathematical approximations having a primary angular frequency. The stacking elements including the optic holders are relatively oriented to promote complementarity between the low-order surface errors of mating stacking faces.

Abstract: A single-mode fiber with low loss and low bend loss is disclosed. The fiber is single mode and has a central core (10), an inner cladding (20) and an outer cladding (30). The central core (10) has a radius r1 and relative refractive index with a maximum value of ?1max and a core alpha greater than 1 and less than 10, and a Ge02 dopant concentration of greater than 1 wt. % and less than or equal to 5 wt. %. The inner cladding (20) has an outer radius r2>9 micrometers and a relative refractive index ?2 where ?2 is less then ?0.15%. The outer cladding (30) has a refractive index ?3, wherein ?1>?3>?2. The difference ?3??2>0.005%. The inner cladding includes fluorine having a concentration of greater than or equal to 0.5 wt. % and the outer cladding is updoped with respect to inner cladding.

Abstract: Cable assemblies, optical connector assemblies, and optical connector subassemblies employing a translating element and a unitary alignment pin are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly includes a connector housing defining a unitary alignment pin including a first pin portion and a second pin portion, and a cover including a first bore and a second bore that allows the transmission of optical signals therethrough. The first pin portion is disposed within the first bore of cover and the second pin portion is disposed within the second bore cover so that that the cover can translate along the first pin portion and the second pin portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a transceiver circuit employing shared digital signal processing circuitry for communicating radio frequency (RF) analog communications signals received by a remote unit in a wireless distribution system (WDS). A transceiver circuit includes downlink digital signal processing circuitry that receives and processes a downlink digital communications signal(s) having a first downlink digital baseband signal and a second downlink digital baseband signal. A first downlink analog signal path and a second downlink analog signal path share the downlink digital signal processing circuitry. The first downlink analog signal path generates a first downlink analog RF communications signal. The second downlink analog signal path generates a second downlink analog RF communications signal.

Abstract: Technologies are described for using optical and electrical transmission of a plurality of communications services from a plurality of outside sources to a network of users via a distributed antenna system. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide for distribution of the communications services and for re-routing the services when a failure occurs. These systems and methods detect when there is a failure of the service to the network or within the network, where the failure has occurred, and how to redistribute the services via a switching network or matrix.

Abstract: An extrudate transport apparatus comprises a free floating roller assembly, wherein the roller assembly controls a rotational pitch of a cylindrical green ceramic extrudate as the green ceramic extrudate moves longitudinally from a first location to a second location within the extrudate transport apparatus. The free floating roller assembly has a predetermined effective weight and comprises a contact roller having a deformable outer surface for frictionally contacting an outer surface of the green ceramic extrudate in motion adjacent thereto, while maintaining a constant contact force upon said green ceramic extrudate.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine also includes a lower unit. The lower unit has a shredding chamber with a plurality of shredders configured to condition the loosefill insulation material thereby forming conditioned loosefill insulation material. The plurality of shredders is driven by one or more motors. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the loosefill insulation material. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. A sound chamber is configured to receive the one or more motors and further configured to reduce the sound rating emanating from the machine.